The Sloth Blog

Male brown-throated three-toed sloth showing the orange speculum patch on his back

The Orange Patch on a Male Sloth's Back Is Not ...

That orange mark on a male three-fingered sloth is a natural patch called a speculum. New research offers clues about what it may communicate, while leaving the mystery open.

The Orange Patch on a Male Sloth's Back Is Not ...

That orange mark on a male three-fingered sloth is a natural patch called a speculum. New research offers clues about what it may communicate, while leaving the mystery open.

Linnaeus's two-toed sloth resting in a tree, photographed by Zoo Berlin

What Are Jumping Genes? The New Clues Hidden in...

A new chromosome-level sloth genome has revealed an extraordinary history of copied genes. Here is what jumping genes are, what scientists found and what remains unproven.

What Are Jumping Genes? The New Clues Hidden in...

A new chromosome-level sloth genome has revealed an extraordinary history of copied genes. Here is what jumping genes are, what scientists found and what remains unproven.

Brown-throated three-toed sloth moving through green rainforest foliage

Sloths Have Three Ways to Move, and Climbing Is...

Sloths do not move in just one slow shuffle. Research shows distinct patterns for hanging below branches, climbing trunks and crawling on the ground, with vertical climbing emerging as their...

Sloths Have Three Ways to Move, and Climbing Is...

Sloths do not move in just one slow shuffle. Research shows distinct patterns for hanging below branches, climbing trunks and crawling on the ground, with vertical climbing emerging as their...

Baby Linne's two-toed sloth Atty clinging closely to mother Feira at Edinburgh Zoo

Atty the Baby Sloth Takes His First Solo Crawl ...

Scotland's first baby sloth has taken a tiny solo crawl at Edinburgh Zoo. Meet Atty and learn how young two-toed sloths gradually gain confidence while staying close to mum.

Atty the Baby Sloth Takes His First Solo Crawl ...

Scotland's first baby sloth has taken a tiny solo crawl at Edinburgh Zoo. Meet Atty and learn how young two-toed sloths gradually gain confidence while staying close to mum.

A rescued two-toed sloth receiving specialist care at Central Florida Zoo

How Rescued Sloths Are Learning to Take Part in...

Eight rescued sloths in Florida are learning to step onto scales and hold X-ray positions voluntarily, helping vets monitor them with less handling and stress.

How Rescued Sloths Are Learning to Take Part in...

Eight rescued sloths in Florida are learning to step onto scales and hold X-ray positions voluntarily, helping vets monitor them with less handling and stress.

Field researcher rewarding a black detection dog wearing a working harness in a dense tropical forest

How Do Scientists Count Sloths Hidden in the Ra...

Counting sloths is harder than spotting them on holiday. Costa Rica's Great Sloth Census combines forest surveys, thermal drones and lessons from a pioneering scat detection dog.

How Do Scientists Count Sloths Hidden in the Ra...

Counting sloths is harder than spotting them on holiday. Costa Rica's Great Sloth Census combines forest surveys, thermal drones and lessons from a pioneering scat detection dog.